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The University of Edinburgh: Astrobiology and Planetary Sciences
| Institution | The University of Edinburgh View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | School of Physics and Astronomy |
| Web | https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying |
| Study type | Taught |
Summary
Astrobiology and the planetary sciences are rigorous interdisciplinary subjects.
Astrobiology is the study of life in the universe: its origin, evolution, distribution, and future. In many ways, its ask the biggest possible questions - about life, the universe and everything in between.
This field brings together biology, planetary science, astronomy, cosmology, chemistry and geology to tackle fundamental questions such as:
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how did life begin on Earth?
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how has it managed to survive and evolve for around 4 billion years?
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could life exist elsewhere in the universe? And if so, how would we find it?
Planetary sciences complement astrobiology by investigating the origin, diversity and behaviour of planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and solar systems. You’ll also learn about space missions, advanced instrumentation, and how scientists design experiments to search for biosignatures on other worlds.
Together, these sciences offer a broad and satisfying perspective on our own place in the universe. In the context of space exploration, these sciences also have interesting policy, legal, and ethical implications.
On this programme you will develop:
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interdisciplinary skills and expertise
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confidence and autonomy in planning and executing research
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insight into contemporary debates
You will think critically about astrobiology and planetary science in their social contexts. You will discover how different scientific approaches address fundamental questions about life.
As a student on this programme you will be integrated into the UK Centre for Astrobiology. The Centre is one of the world's leading hubs for interdisciplinary astrobiology research. The programme is deeply connected to current and future missions to Mars, Venus, icy moons like Europa and Titan, and the rapidly expanding field of exoplanet research.
MSc
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on the University of Edinburgh website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements. |
| Location | King's Buildings West Mains Rd Edinburgh EH9 3JW |
Edinburgh. Extraordinary futures await.
The University of Edinburgh is one of the world's top universities, consistently ranked in the world top 50, and placed 34th in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
Our position as one of Britain’s leading research universities was reaffirmed by the results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). The University of Edinburgh is one of the world’s top research-intensive universities, ranked 4th in the UK for research power (Times Higher Education, Overall Ranking of Institutions), with 90% of our research activity classified as world leading or internationally excellent in the 2021 Research …
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